2026 Economic Impact of Workplace Discrimination Scholarship

The Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers Scholarship is open to students conducting research on the economic consequences of workplace discrimination and retaliation. Eligible projects should examine how unfair treatment impacts employees, organizations, and the economy at large. The scholarship supports applicants who use data-driven research methods to document these effects and propose solutions. By funding this work, Wanta Thome seeks to inspire future scholarship that advances policy reform, advocacy, and workplace equity.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

Award Amount: $3,000.00

Eligibility

Open to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in law (J.D.), public policy, economics, sociology, business, or related fields.
Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher and be in good overall academic standing.
Open to students nationwide, with preference for those studying at institutions in Minnesota or Illinois.
Employees of Wanta Thome, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same households of such individuals (whether related or not), are not eligible to participate in the competition.

What to Submit

(1) Academic Interest Statement (500–750 words):

Applicants must submit an essay addressing:

Academic Goals:
- Your specific interest in workplace discrimination and economic justice
- Relevant coursework completed or planned
- Career aspirations in this field
- How you plan to contribute to workplace equity research in your future career

Educational Preparation
- Description of relevant academic projects or papers
- Research methods courses completed or planned
- Technical skills (e.g., statistical analysis, economic modeling) being developed
- Interdisciplinary approaches you’re pursuing

Academic Integrity: Tools are allowed for brainstorming, but the final work must be original. Originality screening may be used for AI content writing alerts.

(2) Personal Statement (500–750 words):

Applicants must describe their broader commitment to workplace equity, their academic journey, and how the scholarship will support their goals.

(3) Academic Transcript:

The candidate must submit a transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students can submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.

Winner Selection & Inquiries

The recipient of the The Wanta Thome Economic Impact of Workplace Discrimination Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline.

For all scholarship-related inquiries, please use this contact form. We are unable to answer scholarship questions by phone, email, or through any other contact forms listed on this website.